How do you react if an acquaintance starts telling ETHNIC or RACIST jokes?

Question

AND has your reaction changed over the course of years?

Answer 1

My acquaintances wouldn't do that.

Yes, my reaction has changed over the years now that I better understand what racism is all about. People think just because it's a joke, it's okay! That isn't true!

Answer 2

I don't know, sometimes if I know the person really well and I know they aren't racist I'll laugh just because I know they're being silly.

If it's someone I don't really know very well I'll be a little bit upset and usually try to get away. I'm not big on huge confrontational fights in public especially with people I don't know.

There's only a few people that I know are actually racist that tell these jokes that it really bothers me. I've told them a few times that I don't find the jokes very funny.

Answer 3

I try to distance myself from bigotry. I can't say that I live without prejudice, but I do not feel comfortable around people who are flat-out racist.
Yes, my reaction has changed over the course of the years because I used to hang out with bigots, and laugh at their jokes (even though I found them to be cruel) because I thought it was the cool thing to do.
I am older and wiser now!

Answer 4

My dad has some pretty good, wildly offensive jokes. As long as the audience they are being told to are not sensitive to the jokes, and people see them as jokes and not social commentary, I think they're fine. I do, however take issue with people dispensing such jokes when it will offend someone. I think your audience is really the most important factor. For instance, I can use the "n" word, or the "c" word in private. Both are really just words, and don't affect anyone when I say them with nobody around. It's only when there is an audience that it is inappropriate to say them.

Answer 5

I tell them I do not appreciate racist, sexist or otherwise bigoted conversation. If it continues I walk away. I believe that if I stayed and simply didn't comment I would be supporting the behavious. I've been doing this for about 20 years now. I used to just walk away.

Shrek: Yes, I do the same thing when people tell dumb blonde jokes.

Answer 6

If the joke is funny I laugh if it is not funny I tell him the joke was dumb!.

It's a joke afterall not suppose to take seriously. If just conversation and makes racist comments I will tell them they are ingnorant and probably not talk to them anymore.

And no I am not part of a visible minority I am a white guy just that I don't believe in racism I think it's dumb!

Answer 7

I am not a joke person so I find it hard to hear any kind of joke but ethnic and racial ones make me uncomfortable and it is the same now as it has always been.  My problem mainly is I often don't "get" a joke.  How dumb is that?

Answer 8

I have always been offended by ethnic and racist jokes but it is only in the last couple of years that I have had the balls to say so.

Answer 9

Jokes are jokes...I don't ever assume that a pollock (I'm Polish, by the way) wouldn't be able to figure out that you can't piss in the corner of a round room, or that Al Sharpton would take a parachute from a Boy Scout (well, maybe he would...)

They're jokes, not racist propaganda...


Oh yeah, I listen to them...

Answer 10

I've told people off politely about these types of jokes. I make a point of not laughing and telling them it's offensive. The only one I can't tell off is my Dad, but I certainly don't encourage him when he tells nasty jokes. My reaction is the same as it's always been.